Ovarian cancer: Family claims Rotorua Hospital made ‘mistakes’ before death of wife, 25

Tasha Whyman died on November 25 from ovarian cancer. Her husband Jayden Whyman has spoken out about her treatment. Photo / Supplied

• Tasha Whyman, 25, died in hospice on November 25, 10 months after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
• Her grieving husband and family “want accountability” from Rotorua Hospital about “mistakes” they believe were made in her treatment.
• Health New Zealand says it recognises the “deep impact” of her loss and is investigating.

Jayden Whyman met his future wife, Tasha, at a bus stop in Rotorua when they were just teenagers.

She loved painting, walking their dog, spending time in nature, and cleaning – becoming a housekeeper. Together, they enjoyed driving somewhere to watch the sun rise or set.

They had nearly a decade together and looked forward to having children one day.

But at the end of last year, Tasha got sick and was diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of ovarian cancer in January.

She had surgery and began a series of treatments. In August the couple married in a small wedding at Tasha’s aunt’s home.

On November 25, Tasha died in hospice care in Hamilton. She was 25.

Her grieving family believe “mistakes” were made in her treatment that cost her precious time.

Jayden, 28, Tasha’s mother Melanie Stretch, and brother-in-law Troy Whyman spoke to the Rotorua Daily Post about being told “nothing” more could be done for Tasha – and their firm belief that if her treatment had been different, she could still be alive.

Tasha Whyman died on November 25 from ovarian cancer. Her husband Jayden Whyman has spoken out about her treatment.

“We want them to be held accountable so that these kinds of things don’t happen to other people. Because ultimately, it cost us time with Tasha,” Troy said.

Health New Zealand says it recognises the loss of Tasha and the “deep impact” on her whānau and friends.

The agency is conducting a “thorough investigation” into the issues raised by Tasha’s family about her care and treatment.

Two major surgeries to beat ‘aggressive’ cancer

Jayden said Tasha’s symptoms started when her stomach kept getting “bigger and bigger”.

After three visits to the doctor and suspected bladder and kidney infections, she was told to get a scan at the hospital.

“That’s when they found the tumour,” Jayden said.

In January, Tasha had surgery to remove the Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour and was diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer at Rotorua Hospital.

Jayden said the tumour on Tasha’s ovary was removed but claimed the surgery did not remove other parts the cancer could spread to, including the blood vessel that supplied that ovary and the “fatty layer” of the bowel.

“That’s where it did eventually spread to ... so [I believe] if they had cut all of that off to begin with while the tumour was just on the ovary, then she would still be sweet.”

Tasha Whyman was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in January.

In April, Tasha had a biopsy at Auckland Hospital. An MRI scan found three tumours on her bowels and a “little lump” on her lymph node.

Tasha had a second surgery – most of her large intestine, her uterus, other ovary, fallopian tubes, some lymph nodes, and part of her diaphragm were removed.

The cancer was “so aggressive”, it quickly grew back.

From May to August, Tasha had chemotherapy every three weeks at Rotorua Hospital, Jayden said.

‘Nothing they could do’

After finishing chemotherapy, she was still in constant pain so they kept returning to the hospital.

Jayden said on November 8, a CT scan showed the cancer was in her pelvis, which ruled out further surgery.

“By then, there was nothing they could do for her because there was nothing else they could remove.”

That same day, Jayden said hospital staff fitted Tasha with a Nikki pump which self-administered pain relief drugs.

On November 12, Jayden said staff discovered the pump had not been working the whole time.

Consequently, her pain “spiked so high”.

Tasha Whyman enjoyed spending time in nature.

Meanwhile, the family contacted a cancer specialist in Australia about Tasha’s treatment options.

On November 15, Jayden said they were told the cancer drug Avastin could have been an option with weekly chemotherapy.

He claimed this was a result of contact from the specialist in Australia.

“We should’ve had that option,” Jayden said.

Stretch said Tasha was admitted to hospice on November 13.

On November 18, a CT scan at Waikato Hospital showed Tasha’s tumour had grown so large it was pressing against her kidneys, causing them to fail.

Tasha and Jayden Whyman were together for almost 10 years.

This ruled out chemotherapy as a treatment option.

Jayden claimed they were told Tasha’s pain needed to be managed before proceeding with treatment.

In his view: “If they hadn’t have mucked up the Nikki pump, she could have been able to have treatment.”

Tasha was surrounded by her family when she died on November 25. Her funeral was on November 29 at the C3 Church in Rotorua.

Jayden believed if the “mistakes” had not been made, Tasha could still be alive. Troy said the family “want accountability”.

The family have submitted a complaint to Rotorua Hospital and plans to complain to the Health and Disability Commissioner.

Stretch received a response to her complaint from Health NZ on December 12, but had replied with further questions about Tasha’s care.

Stretch described her daughter as caring, loyal, honest, and “a bit sassy”.

“If she loved you, then she had your back.

“She didn’t realise how good she was.”

Health NZ investigating

In a statement, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Lakes group director of operations Alan Wilson said Health NZ wished to recognise the loss of Tasha, and the “deep impact” this continued to have on her whānau and friends.

“We are conducting a thorough investigation into the issues raised by Tasha’s family concerning her care and treatment and we will make contact with the whānau and are keen to meet with them after our investigation is complete.

“We encourage Tasha’s whānau to contact us directly if they have any questions or concerns.”

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.